RESEARCH

PROPOSAL
PREPARATION
AE 122 – Accounting Research Methods
Learning Objectives
• Learn the format of the research proposal
• Identify the preliminary pages of a research proposal
• Understand and obtain reference materials for a research
proposal
What a PROPOSAL Is?

• A Research Proposal is a systematic plan of

procedure for the research to follow. It is
comparable to a blueprint which the
architect prepares before the bids are let and
building commences.
• The initial draft of the proposal is subject to
modification is the light of the analysis by
the student and his/her advisor.
Parts of a Research Proposal

• A Research Proposal is submitted either for

a grant or for meeting an institutional
requirement. For either purposes the
proposal usually includes seven major parts.
However, institutions suggest other formats
for the research proposal to be followed by
the student researchers.
 CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM
Introduction
• A brief paragraph or two often introduce the
problem indicating the importance and the
validity of the particular problem.
• Suitable background information of the
actual situation obtaining in the
environment proposed to be studied may be
incorporated in the introduction and a
comparison with some theoretical
framework or principle is made. The
introduction should indicate the need to
study the problem.
Statement of the Problem

• This is a clear and sharply defined

statement of the actual problem. This is
usually a declarative statement but may be
in question form. This attempt to focus on a
stated goal directions to the research
process. It must be limited enough in scope
to make a definite conclusion possible. The
major statement may be followed by minor
statements.
Scope and Delimitation

• This explicitly describes the coverage of the

study, period of time involved in the
investigation, the geographic limits of the
study, and the persons involved. It also
includes the area of the field of the study
that are outside the limits of the study or
problem
Theoretical Framework
• This section of the proposal helps explain or clarify the
theoretical rationale of the problem. Only studies
which are related in purpose, method, or findings to the
current study should be included in the review. The
discussion of such studies should be in the form of
brief critical analysis of the purpose, method of the
study, principal findings, and conclusions. How each of
the studies reviewed relates the problem at hand will be
pointed out summarizing and providing a transition
form the past studies to the present one. The present
study should be shown to relate with or evolve from
earlier work. The related materials should be
synthesized in order to evolve a theory which serves as
guidepost in the conduct of the study.
Conceptual Framework

• From the theoretical framework, the researcher

formulates a theoretical scheme for his own
research problem which is tentative or theoretical
explanation of the phenomenon or problem he is
going to investigate. The conceptual framework is
reduced into a paradigm or schematic diagram
showing the variables of the framework and their
interrelationships. The theoretical scheme is the
basis for formulating the research hypothesis.
Conceptual Framework
In fact, the Conceptual Framework is a representation
of a problem statement / research question. It also
looks pretty simple. Once the independent and
dependent variables have been determined, a
Conceptual Framework can be started:
•Frameworks – The dependent and independent
variables are drawn up in the frames.
•Arrows – the arrows between two concepts indicate
that there is a causal link; where the arrow comes
from influences where the arrow points to.
•Lines – where a relationship (correlation) between 2
variables is expected, but no connection, a line is
used.
Operational Definition of Terms

• Many terms are subject to a variety of

interpretations. Such term are to be defined
operationally according to precise meanings they
are intended to convey. Clear definitions should
be stated for all important variables reflected in
the paradigm or the conceptual framework
mentioning their respective measures.
• These definitions will help establish the frame of
reference with which the researcher approaches
the problem.
Operational Definition of Terms
Refers to a detailed explanation of the technical terms and
measurements used during data collection. This is done to
standardize the data. Whenever data is being collected, it is
necessary to clearly define how to collect the data. Data that is not
defined runs the risk of being inconsistent and might not give
the same results when the study is replicated. Often we assume
that those collecting the data understand what to do and how to
complete the task. However, people may have differing views and
interpretations of the same thing, and this will affect the data
collection. The only way to ensure that the data is consistent is by
means of a detailed operational definition of terms. 
The operational definition of terms is included in the Methods
section. For example, an example of operational definition of the
term "weight" of an object would be something like this: "weight
refers to the numbers that appear when an object is placed on
a weighing scale."
Assumptions

• These are the statements which the researcher

believes to be true but cannot verify. A researcher
may state the assumptions for instance that the
participant observers in the classroom after a
period of three days will establish rapport with the
students and will not have a reactive effect on the
behavior to be observed.
Research Hypothesis
• The hypothesis is a tentative answer to a question.
It is an educated guess or hunch, generally based
upon prior research and/or theory to be subjected
to the process of verification or disconfirmation.
This is a conjectural statement of relationship
between two or more variables. These statements
are based on existing information tested
experimentally or empirically.
Methodology

• This part of the research proposal usually

consists of research design, subjects,
procedures, and data analysis.
Research Design

• This section usually describes the method

of research to be followed by the researcher
whether it is descriptive, experimental, or
historical research.
Sampling Technique

• This section details the population from

which the researcher plans to select the
sample. The number of respondents desired
from the population and how they will be
selected are also indicated in this section.
The reader of the research report should be
able to understand exactly from where and
how the respondents are to be selected.
Data Gathering Instruments

• This section describes the adoption,

construction, and administration of the
instruments to be used in gathering the data for
the research. Instruments include tests,
questionnaires, interview, guides, and/or
schedules. Apparatus, devices, and laboratory
equipment used should be described. In case of
complex or custom-made equipment, a drawing
or photograph is recommended.
Data Gathering Procedure

• The procedures to be followed in

conducting the study should be explained in
complete detail. Techniques, devices, and
procedures to be followed should be
described.
Statistical Treatment of Data

• This section describes briefly how the data

collected are to be processed. If statistical
techniques are used, this fact should be
mentioned. If one will use a technique that is
not appropriate to the data, this fact should
be noted and explanation made.
• Only if the statistical technique to be used is
a new or unfamiliar one, need the formula
be given.
APA Format

Bibliography
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